Frd No 39 dam
Frd No 39
Frd No 39, also known as Little Walnut Hickory WS Dam 39, is a local government-owned earth dam located in Butler County, Kansas. Built in 1965 by the USDA NRCS, this structure serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the South Branch Hickory Creek. With a height of 30 feet and a length of 1280 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 1278.27 acre-feet and a drainage area of 3.42 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, Frd No 39 is state-regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, with inspections and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has a moderate risk assessment rating. While it currently does not have an emergency action plan (EAP) in place, the structure meets guidelines for risk management measures. Overall, Frd No 39 is a vital component in the local water resource infrastructure, providing essential flood protection for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Frd No 39 offers a fascinating case study in dam construction and management. Its design by the USDA NRCS, state regulation by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, and moderate risk assessment highlight the collaborative efforts required to safeguard critical water infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and increase flood risks, structures like Frd No 39 play a crucial role in protecting communities and mitigating potential disasters. By understanding the intricacies of dam operations and regulatory processes, enthusiasts can appreciate the complexity of managing water resources in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Frd No 39 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter C At Climax | 13 cfs | → |
| Elk R At Elk Falls | 55 cfs | → |
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 39 cfs | → |
| Walnut R At Winfield | 174 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Derby | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R Nr Virgil | 1,830 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 39.
Track Frd No 39 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Frd No 39
Where does the data for Frd No 39 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.